The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House food hub - 2022 handbook
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the
Little Mountain
Neighbourhood House
food hub
2022 handbook
A special and sincere thank you to everyone involved in
the creation of the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
2022 Food Hub Handbook.
Content within this handbook was developed by:
Sarah Mantini, Brianna Thompson, Joanne MacKinnon,
Maria Valenzuela, Selina Pope, Emma Fenty,
Dina Ferera, and Pritham Tanno.
With editing contributions from:
Angela Hoy and Art Bomke
This handbook was designed by:
Sarah Mantini
This handbook is a publication of the Little Mountain
Neighbourhood House Food Hub; a food security project of
the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society.
Recommended Citation:
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Food Hub. (2022). The Little
Mountain Neighbourhood House Food Hub 2022 handbook.
table of contents
Land Acknowledgement Page 1
JEDI Statement Page 2
About LMNH Page 3
Our Food Hub Page 4 -8
Why Our Food Hub Was Created Page 9-10
A Systems Change Model Page 11
The Good Food Principles
Page 12
and How We Enact Them
Guiding Concepts Page 13
Our Food Hub Programs Page 14-17
Riley Park
Page 15
Community Garden
Yard Garden
Page 16
Harvest Project
Food Distribution Page 17
Program
Ways To Get Involved Page 18
Partners and Funders Page 19
Get In Touch Page 20
The LMNH Food Hub Staff Page 21
References Page 22-23
land acknowledgement
Little Mountain
Neighbourhood House (LMNH)
acknowledges that we live, work and play
on unceded Indigenous land
cared for since time immemorial by
the Coast Salish peoples,
including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓ əm
(Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish),
and Səl̓ ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh
(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
1
Justice Equity Diversity and
Inclusion (JEDI) Statement
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House values diversity.
We foster an inclusive environment where individual
differences among us, including but not limited to differences
in race, religion, colour, age, gender, national origin, culture,
sexual orientation, physical or mental capabilities, and family
and socio-economic status are respected, appreciated, and
recognized as a source of strength.
We recognize that our membership, our Board of Directors,
our volunteers and staff bring their own unique capabilities,
experiences and characteristics to their work. We value such
diversity at all levels as they enrich the organization and
workplace. Diversity benefits individuals, Little Mountain
Neighbourhood House and our community. We expect
that all who provide or receive services will extend the
same respect to all they meet.
2
about LMNH
Photo Credit: Sarah Mantini
LMNH is a grassroots,
volunteer-driven organization with a
vision to connect, engage and empower
community members to create a vibrant,
inclusive and caring neighbourhood.
Our mission is to develop and facilitate
social, educational, cultural and
recreational programs and initiatives that
strengthen neighbourhood life for a
diverse group of community members. We
value diversity, responsiveness, integrity,
engagement, accessibility, caring,
excellence and empowerment.
3
Our food hub
The LMNH Food Hub is our response to increased food insecurity
in our community and the ongoing climate crisis. Our mission is
to create a local, decolonized, community-led food system.
We aim to reduce food insecurity and increase access to
healthy food in a way that promotes dignity, equity and
respect. We are dedicated to providing space to
grow food, build community, and care for the unceded
lands on which we live, work, and play.
Our Food Hub focuses on two priorities:
Growing Our Food
and
Feeding Our Community
4
GROWING OUR FOOD
We grow food in the Riley Park
Community Garden (RPCG), through
the Yard Garden Harvest Project (YGHP) and in
partnership with local urban farmers.
Our programs and partnerships improve our
community's food sovereignty and allow people to
develop connections with neighbours and learn
how to grow their own food.
The food we grow also provides healthy,
neighbourhood grown produce for our Food
Distribution Program and builds
resilience in our neighbourhood.
Photo Source: Michelle Huisman
5
Photo Source: Brianna Thompson Photo Source: Brianna Thompson
Gardening and growing food is a fun way to get exercise, socialize with others,
connect with our food and improve emotional and physical health.
Our community gardens help to improve the ecological health of our
environment by increasing biodiversity, capturing carbon in our plants and soil
and mitigating impacts of floods by improving water drainage in our soils.
They also add beautiful and biodiverse landscapes to our neighbourhood and
provide spaces for community members to gather and share knowledge,
stories and skills.
Photo Source: www.rileyparkgarden.org/
6
feeding our community
We run a weekly Food Distribution
Program at LMNH, deliver quarterly food
hampers and meals to seniors and provide
gift cards to individuals and families.
We run a monthly Donation Station at the Riley Park
Farmers Market where community members and
farmers can donate money and produce for our Food
Distribution Program.
We also acquired a Community Fridge and Pantry
where community members can donate food items
and take items as needed. These are located
outside of LMNH and are accessible 24/7.
Photo Source: Sarah Mantini
7Photo Source: Joanne MacKinnon
Photo Source: Sarah Mantini
Having access to nutritious food is an important part of living a healthy life.
We aim to provide healthy, culturally appropriate, fresh produce and
non-perishable food items at no cost while allowing community members
to build connections to one another and to staff and volunteers at LMNH.
These programs also provide non-judgemental, low-barrier spaces where
individuals experiencing food insecurity can feel welcomed and supported.
Photo Source: Joanne MacKinnon
8Why our food hub was created
Food Insecurity affects many people in Vancouver and refers to inadequate or insecure access
to food due to financial and accessibility barriers and involves a range of experiences such as:
Running out of food Being unable to afford Missing entire meals,
and not having enough food that supports a or not eating,
money to buy more. balanced diet. for whole days
(1)
COVID-19 has greatly impacted levels of food insecurity in Vancouver's communities. A
recent survey conducted by the British Columbia Center for Disease Control found that:
Over 1500 10.9%
Riley Park/South Cambie of Vancouverites worry about
residents worry about running out of food before
running out of food before they can afford more(2)
they can afford more(2)
As of 2021, The Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) supported over 4000 new clients
and distributed more food than they have in previous years(3).
17% 58%
of GVFB clients
25% of GVFB clients
of GVFB clients were children(3)
were seniors(3) were adults(3)
Importantly, the experience of household food insecurity in Canada differs by
racial identity and immigration status.
17.1% 11.3%
of East and Southeast Asian
of recent immigrants
households experience
experience food insecurity
food insecurity
28.2% 28.9%
of Indigenous households of Black households
experience food insecurity experience food insecurity
(1)
9climate change and food security are connected
Research suggests climate change will negatively impact these four pillars of food security:
Availability Access Utilization Stability
of Food to Food of Food of Food
Due to reduced Due to rising food Due to issues with food Due to increased
yields and prices and the safety and nutrient crop failures,
challenges related effect of extreme availability in plants as a
conflicts, and the
to storing and weather events on result of heat, high CO2 impacts of extreme
transporting food. food supplies. levels and water runoff. weather events.
(4)
To reduce our impact on climate change our food hub prioritizes the use of climate change
mitigation and adaptation strategies.
We care deeply about our soil. In all of our "Growing Our Food" programs we use
growing techniques that protect soil life and store carbon in the soil including:
Composting Cover Cropping Mulching
Creating communal green spaces also helps us adapt to the impacts of climate change and:
Increase Reduce Stormwater
Biodiversity Runoff
Reduce Urban Reduce Reliance on
Heat Islands Large Supply Chains
(5,6,7)
10A systems change model
We use a systems change approach to think about our food systems as a
whole and identify root causes of food insecurity and climate change that are
impacting our community and our environment. Understanding the root
causes of food insecurity and climate change allows us to take action to
address these issues and develop new systems based on the principles of
food, social, environmental, and economic justice.
The actions we take to engage in systems change work and develop our food
hub programs are guided by the Good Food Principles and the concepts of
Food Sovereignty, Food Justice, Food Security and Food Dignity.
11The Good Food Principles and How We Enact Them
1
Taking action from the individual to the systemic
Providing a range of educational workshops led by diverse community members
related to growing, cooking and preserving food.
Conducting a survey with Food Distribution Program participants to discover
their favourite vegetables and growing food in the YGHP based on the results.
2
Believing and investing in the power of good food
Creating safe, comfortable spaces where community members can come together
and share in the joy of growing, cooking and eating healthy, delicious food.
Using sustainable and organic gardening practices in our programs.
3
Creating an environment of respect and community leadership
Translating signs, information, and program materials so individuals feel
included, represented, and empowered.
Offering a variety of volunteer opportunities, including leadership opportunities,
for community members and program participants to engage in.
4
Meeting people where they’re at
Offering support that goes beyond providing food including providing referrals to
other programs and providing spaces for connection and socialization.
Using a dignified food access approach in all our programs and checking in with
participants to ensure they feel seen, heard and valued.
5
Aiming high for our organizations and our community
Creating supportive volunteer programs and organizing volunteer appreciation
events led by paid coordinators.
Building relationships with funders to increase the sustainability of our programs.
(8)
12guiding concepts
Food Justice involves dismantling our current food system and building
a new, equitable, food system where decisions related to the production
Food
and distribution of food are made by the community and those most
impacted by food insecurity.(9,10)
Justice How we engage in Food Justice:
Conducting surveys and focus groups so our community can be involved
in decisions and share ideas related to our programs.
Collecting data to understand who accesses our programs and the
systemic issues in our community that cause food insecurity.
Food Sovereignty is the right of communities to create their own
food systems that are healthy, culturally relevant and produced
Food
with sustainable methods.(11)
How we engage in Food Sovereignty:
Creating projects that allow community members to grow and
access local, fresh food. Sovereignty
Engaging in mutual aid partnerships so local farmers such as UBC
Farm and City Beet Farm can contribute to community food
security in a financially and socially sustainable manner.
Food Food Security and Food Dignity refers to the ability to continually access
Security
safe, healthy, and culturally appropriate foods of their choice in inclusive
and judgment free environments.(12,13)
and How we foster Food Security and Food Dignity:
Food
Using a market style model of food distribution where individuals have
increased autonomy and can choose food items.
Dignity
Building partnerships with local grocers, farmers, and food redistribution
organizations to acquire fresh, local, and culturally meaningful food.
13Our food hub programs
Food is an integral part of many LMNH programs. We have three core Food Hub
programs, the Riley Park Community Garden, the Yard Garden Harvest Project
and the Food Distribution Program, which are centred around
growing, harvesting, and distributing food.
Photo Source: www.rileyparkgarden.org/
In addition to our core Food Hub programs we have run a variety of food programs
at LMNH through the years including:
Child and Youth Cooking Program Holiday Hampers
Friday Night Dinners Food Preservation Workshops
Child Development Centre Little Mountain Out of School
Hot Lunch Program Care Breakfast Program
Newcomer Community Kitchen Seniors Meals and Produce Boxes
Middle Eastern Women Offering healthy snacks
Community Kitchen at various programs
Whether we are distributing food, providing education about growing food, or
cooking together, all our programming is centred around dignified food access.
14Riley Park Community Garden
A Community Space Tackling Food Insecurity While Enhancing Community Engagement
RPCG has a communal model of community gardening, which means we share in the work and
the harvest. Following organic gardening practices, gardeners come together to plan, plant,
weed, and harvest. Harvests are shared among volunteers and are also used to support food
literacy programs. Any excess produce is donated to the LMNH Community Fridge. The garden
is an inclusive gathering space for the larger community. Novice gardeners work alongside
experienced gardeners, sharing customs and stories around the food we grow and eat
together. We grow a variety of culturally specific foods and have garden plots dedicated for
Middle Eastern, Japanese, Asian, and Latino veggies. Regular formal and informal educational
sessions also take place in the garden on growing seasonal food. There are no waitlists to join
this community garden, just a willingness to show up and join in the fun of growing food!
Photo Source: www.rileyparkgarden.org/
We offer the opportunity to work We also hold many events
alongside Master Gardeners and: and workshops including:
Learn about caring for pollinator plants Cooking In The Garden
Experiment with growing a variety of food Seniors In The Park
Learn about composting Multicultural Celebrations
Contact: info@rileyparkgarden.org
Location: Riley Park Community Garden, 50 East 30th Avenue Vancouver
Get involved: Visit www.rileyparkgarden.org/events to register for our garden events
15Yard Garden Harvest Project
Learning, Inspiring and Growing Together to Feed our Community
The YGHP grows food in our neighbours' yards to provide to LMNH's Food Distribution
Program and has partnered with four caring neighbours to turn their lawns into food scapes.
It was an idea sparked by a group of individuals who wanted to expand the positive impact of
the RPCG by providing food grown with organic practices to those experiencing food
insecurity and expanding spaces for people to learn how to grow food. Our program is rooted
in deepening connections by engaging with landowners and volunteers while growing food in
a way that benefits the soil, the pollinators and our community! As a part of growing healthy
produce for others, we provide opportunities to learn and practice sustainable growing
methods. These actions build a stronger sense of community, increase local food security and
contribute to a more sustainable community. We accept volunteers for the duration of the
growing season from April to October and accept landowner applications year round.
Photo Source: Brianna Thompson Photo Source: Brianna Thompson
We offer many opportunities to get We also put on many fun
involved in our mission including: events including:
Volunteering for short garden shifts Educational Workshops
Volunteering in leadership positions Volunteer Appreciation Nights
Becoming a Yard Garden Landowner Social events like craft nights
Contact: yardgarden.coordinator@lmnhs.bc.ca
Location: Four neighbours' yards in the Little Mountain/Riley Park area
Get Involved: Email us at the address above to become a volunteer
16Food Distribution Program
Increasing Access to Healthy Food and Building Community
The Food Distribution Program was created due to increased food insecurity in our
community during COVID-19. After receiving emergency food funding in May and September
of 2020, this program was created and has evolved into a market style program where food is
displayed on tables allowing participants to choose their food items. Operating on a weekly
basis, we aim to provide healthy, culturally appropriate fresh produce and non-perishable
food items at no cost. We receive food donations from a variety of organizations and also
connect with local farmers and grocers to acquire fresh produce for our program.
Community engagement and feedback from participants is important to us. Our goal is for
our program to not only be a space to receive healthy food, but also a space to meet others,
build connections, and feel welcomed and supported by LMNH and the wider community.
Photo Source: Sarah Mantini
The need for fresh, healthy, and culturally appropriate food is high.
Between October and December 2021, on average each week we served:
195 unique individuals 52 unique children
69 unique househoulds 44 unique seniors
Contact: fooddistribution@lmnhs.bc.ca
Location: 3981 Main Street, Vancouver
Get Involved: Email us at the address above to register for our program or become a volunteer
17Ways to get involved
These are just a few ways you can become involved in our programs! Contact
us to learn more about all the different volunteer opportunities we offer.
Riley Park Community Garden Yard Garden Harvest Project
Opportunities Opportunities
Contact email above Contact email above
Community Gardener Gardener
Work Party Leader Fruit and Produce Gleaner
Outreach and Promotions Artistic Education Creator
Events and Workshop Workshop Facilitator
Organizer
General Food Hub Food Distribution
Opportunities Program Opportunities
Contact Sarah or Brianna Contact email above
Newsletter Content Creator Stock and Inventory Volunteer
Social Media Content Creator Weekly Program Volunteer
Food Literacy Content Creator Farmers Market Donation
Station Volunteer
Fundraising, Events and
Workshop Volunteer Community Fridge Volunteer
18
Photo Source: Brianna ThompsonPARTNERS AND FUNDERS
Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of our
generous and dedicated partners and funders.
A collection of individual donors
Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
City Beet Farm
City of Vancouver
Community Food Centres Canada Emergency Food Access Grants
David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Project
East West Market
Farm Folk City Folk Citizen Food Trials
Farm to Plate Marketplace
Food Stash Foundation
Good Food Organization (Member)
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Neighbourhood Matching Funds
Neighbourhood Small Grants
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Peak House
Services Canada Summer Job Grant
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
Sustainable Food Systems Grant (COV)
TD Park People grant
UBC Chapman and Innovation Fund Grant
UBC Farm Practicum Program
UBC Partner Recognition Fund
United Way of the Lower Mainland
Vancouver Community Fridge Project
Vancouver Farmers Market
Vancouver Food Runners
Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks (Member)
Vancouver Parks Board
19GET IN TOUCH
Thank you for your interest in the
LMNH Food Hub! We are always planning for ways
to develop and expand our Food Hub programs. Stay
tuned for updates on our social media and websites!
lmnhvancouver lmnhvancouver
lmnhfoodhub lmnhfoodhub
rileyparkcommunitygarden rileyparkgarden
Visit the LMNHS Food Hub Website
Visit the Riley Park Community Garden Website
We would also love to hear more from you. We know our
community members have so much knowledge and
ideas to share. Feel free to contact us at the
emails listed below with any ideas you may
have to expand our community-led food
system and increase food access!
20the lmnh food hub staff
Maria Valenzuela
Community and Family Programs Manager
Phone Number: (604) 879-7104 ext. 316
Email: maria_valenzuela@lmnhs.bc.ca
Joanne MacKinnon
Community Engagement Coordinator
Phone Number: (604) 879-7104
Email: joanne_mackinnon@lmnhs.bc.ca
Brianna Thompson
Yard Garden Harvest Project Coordinator
Phone Number: (604) 879-7104
Email: yardgarden.coordinator@lmnhs.bc.ca
Sarah Mantini
Food Distribution Coordinator
Phone Number: (604) 879-7104
Email: fooddistribution@lmnhs.bc.ca
21References
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